Senior Laboratory Technician- Utility Systems Department

The City of Port St. Lucie is an equal opportunity employer.

This position requires the applicant to successfully pass a drug screening.

Please note that this is an external job posting intended for non-city employees. If you are a current city employee applying through this posting, your application will not be reviewed with other internal candidates. In order to be considered with internal candidates, please apply on the internal posting by clicking HERE .

Advanced technical work with moderately difficult, exacting, performing laboratory analyses required for the operation of the Utilitys water and/or wastewater treatment plants. Includes sample collection, documentation, analysis, and reporting of results. Facilitates the development of public trust and confidence in the City and its Utility.

This position is an Essential classification and will be required to report to duty before, during, and immediately after a civil emergency.

The following duties are illustrative for this position. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Keeps the mission, vision and values of the City of Port St. Lucie and Utility Systems Department at the forefront of decision making and action; builds strategic and collaborative relationships and interacts with others in a way that builds confidence and trust; provides excellent customer service by taking action to accomplish objectives, maintaining high levels of work and productivity by generating innovative solutions to work situations.
• Develops and maintain laboratory procedures for operational control of the Utilitys water and/or wastewater plants to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Performs physical, chemical, and bacteriological analyses in accordance with applicable procedures as specified by rule, permit, or the laboratory Quality Assurance (QA) Plan.
• Collects samples using approved techniques, equipment, and containers. Assure that all samples are accurately identified and that Chain of Custody documents are properly prepared.
• Performs physical, chemical, biological and bacteriological analytical tests.
• Performs complex technical analyses, data reduction and prepare technical reports.
• Provides training to mid-level technicians for advanced microbiology, chemistry, data review
• Provides training to mid-level technicians for media preparation and QA/Quality Control (QC) requirements.
• Performs microbiology training and advanced analysis.
• Provides training for culture/subcultures and gram stains & microscopy.
• Prepares and QC reagents, standards, and media.
• Thoroughly review analytical bench-sheets verifying, data reduction & Analytical QC elements
• Approves data in LIMS following established laboratory protocols.
• Performs preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment; make minor repairs as needed.
• Assures that calibration requirements are met as required by the laboratory Quality Assurance Plan.
• Maintains an inventory of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and supplies. Assure that storage and shelf-life requirements are met.
• Generates management reports as required.
• Maintains availability for planned or unplanned overtime work. Respond to callouts during non-working hours for emergencies.Prepare and participate in laboratory biennial audit.
• Prepares and participates in laboratory biennial audit.
• Collects samples for laboratory analyses. Advise local Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) office by phone and by written report.
• Prepares for and participates in laboratory compliance inspections conducted by the Florida Department of Health.
• Complies with all requirements of the laboratory Quality Assurance Plan.

• Other duties as may be assigned.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES SCHEDULED/UNSCHEDULED OVERTIME, INCLUDING EVENINGS, WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS AND/OR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO EMERGENCY CONDITIONS.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with Bachelor of Science degreein the discipline of chemistry, microbiology, biology, environmental science, physical science, or medical technology required. Five (5) years of experience in a National Environmental Laboratories Accreditation Conference (NELAC) Certified laboratory preferred.

A comparable amount of training, education, or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Possession of valid drivers license and maintenance of clean driving record required with the ability to obtain a valid Florida drivers license within 30 days from date if hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of water and/or wastewater treatment processes.
• Knowledge of the advanced principles of bacteriology, biology, chemistry, and laboratory analyses.
• Knowledge of the materials, methods, practices, and equipment used in sample collection and skill in their use.
• Knowledge of proper quality assurance in collection of samples and chain of custody procedures.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulatory requirements pertaining to municipal water and/or wastewater facilities.
• Knowledge of bacteriological and testing procedures.
• Knowledge of FDEP & NELAC Regulations and Rules.
• Knowledge of laboratory QA/QC Requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory Inventory Quality Control and tracking.
• Skill in the use of physical, chemical, biological and bacteriological analytical equipment.
• Ability to perform complex technical analyses and prepare technical reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
• Ability to focus on the positive in every situation.
• Ability to stay centered when challenged.
• Ability to model respect for individuals, teams, and the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain the trust and confidence of the department and public.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to follow through with assigned tasks.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Steeltoe or composite shoes are mandatory.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions that may be adverse and extreme (heat, humidity, cold, rain, etc.). The employee is frequently exposed to noise, dust, fumes, airborne particles, uneven surfaces, heights, and stressful situations.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.